Women's Basketball Downs Bryant, 73-54

WORCESTER, Mass. - Junior guard Bethany O'Dell (Lincoln, R.I.) broke the Holy Cross women's basketball school record for three-point field goals made, sinking her 180th career shot from long range as the Crusaders defeated Bryant, 73-54, on Wednesday night at the Hart Center. Holy Cross improves to 5-10, closing out non-conference play, while the Bulldogs fall to 5-9.

The Crusaders started the game with a 10-4 lead in the opening four minutes, led by senior forward Kathy Gruzynski (Elk Grove, Ill.) with eight points. Holy Cross held a short 13-10 lead over Bryant, but pushed forward with a 10-5 run, with O'Dell scoring all 10 points. The Bulldogs got within three points, 27-24, but Holy Cross stayed on top, finishing the half with an eight-point lead, 40-32, with a buzzer-beat jump shot by senior guard Jessica Pearson (West Chester, Pa.).

Bryant scored first to start the second half, but the Crusaders pressed on with a strong 16-4 run, with junior guard Christy Cushnie (Vienna, Va.) hitting a shot from long range to give Holy Cross a 20-point lead, 56-36. Down by 27 points with less than eight minutes to go, the Bulldogs chipped away at the Crusaders lead to get within 16 points (70-54), but three foul shots by freshman center Marygrace Jay (Vienna, Va.) gave Holy Cross a 19-point win, 73-54.

O'Dell led the team in scoring (15), rebounds (nine) and steals (four), while Gruzynski finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Junior guard Briana McFadden (Wheaton, Md.) was the third Crusader to score in double-digits with 11 points while tallying six rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Holy Cross returns to action on Saturday, January 10, beginning Patriot League play on the road against Lafayette at 1:00 p.m.

College of the Holy CrossDepartment of Athletics 1 College Street Worcester, MA 01610